NIFS Holds the Annual Research Review for the Year 2016

The Annual Research Review 2016 of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy was held on 10th of March 2016 under the patronage of Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology & Research with the participation of the Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology & Research, Mrs.R. Wijialudchumi. The Main objective of this annual review was to assess the progress of research projects which were carried out during the year 2016.

Established in 1981 the National institute of Fundamental Studies is dedicated to carry out Basic or Fundamental research that can be of great value to countries development drive. Currently the NIFS conduct researches in many areas as given below,

Biological Sciences

Biofuel Production/ Carbon Sequestration & Management

Biodiversity and Conservation

Cell Biology

Ecology and Environmental Biology

Functional Food Product Development

Microbial Biotechnology

Natural Products

Nutritional Biochemistry Project

Plant Biology

Physical Sciences

Brain Computer Interface

Chemical and Environmental Systems Modeling

Condensed Matter Physics & Solid State Chemistry

Environmental Engineering

Estimation of the subsurface extension of Eppawala apatite deposit

Mapping Geothermal Sources in Sri Lanka

Nanotechnology & Physics of Materials

Photochemistry

Quantum Physics

Radom Monitoring

Single-Bubble Sonoluminescence

Thermoelectricity

During this event scientists from each research unit presented the progress of their work to a panel of reviewers and the other invited guests.

Speaking in the inauguration session Prof. Parakrama Karunarathne, the present director of the NIFS explained the importance of Basic Science Research in development of a country. He also said that now NIFS has started researches related to applied science as well, but he insisted the institute always gives priority to basic science research. Further speaking Prof. Karunarathne explained the current structure and main activities and achievements related to different departments and units of the NIFS.

Prof. Anura Wickramasinghe, the chairman of the board of governors of the NIFS, in his speech greatly appreciated the all the efforts and hard work given by all the researchers and their teams during the year 2016.

Minister Susil Premajayantha speaking in the event talked about recent developments of the Science and Technology field of Sri Lanka

Chief guest of the event Hon. Susil Premajayantha, speaking in the inauguration session described recent steps the ministry of Science, Technology and innovation has taken to uplift the science and technology sectors in Sri Lanka, he specially pointed out the science park that has been planned to be built in Homagama and it’s importance as a country.

Dr. Athula Wijesinghe won the 3rd place of the Award for the Outstanding Scientist of the year 2016

Three scientists from the NIFS were awarded “Outstanding Researcher of the year” award. Third place of the award was won by Dr. Athula Wijesinghe for his work on Nanotechnology and advance materials research. The second place of the award went to Prof. M.A.K.Laksman Dissanayake who worked on enhancing dye sensitized solar cells through enhancing molecular components used in them.

Second place of the award for The Outstanding Scientist of the Year 2016 was won by Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake

The first place of the “Outstanding Researcher of 2016” was won by Dr. Meththika Vithanage who conducted her research on environmental pollutants and the different geo/bio/nano material based approaches to re-mediate those novel pollutants.

Dr. Meththika Vithanage receiving the award for the 1st place of the Outstanding Scientist of the year 2016

The keynote speech was delivered by Prof. Madhawa Meegaskumbura, and in his speech he talked about number of new frog species found in Sri Lanka and their importance.

Prof. Madhawa Meegaskumbura delivering the keynote speech

During the technical sessions scientists presented the progress of the ongoing research work of the each unit of the NIFS, and this gave the scientists and other intellectuals the opportunity to engage with some fruitful and informative discussions about the research work.

NIFS Scientists presenting the progress of their research work.

Some leading scientists from the country with many other invited guests and intellectuals were present in this Annual Review program.